GED

If you stopped your education before receiving your high school diploma and you plan to apply for a four-year Bachelor’s program in the United States immediately, universities may require you to sit the GED® test. The GED® test is a four-part test that measures the skills and knowledge that lead to the awarding of an internationally accepted U.S.-based high school equivalency credential. Since it was created in 1942 to promote the education of young members of the military returning from World War II, it has become the pathway for more than 18 million adults who did not finish school to earn a high school-equivalency credential. It validates U.S. high school and English language skills and provides International students an opportunity to earn a US high school credential, as a means to enter university in the United States or in additional countries around the world.

What subjects does the GED® test? The GED® test has four content areas: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science. The RLA test focuses on three grouping of skills: the ability to read closely, the ability to write clearly, and the ability to edit and understand the use of standard written English in context. The Mathematical Reasoning Test focuses on two major content domains: quantitative problem solving (45%) and algebraic problem solving (55%). The Science Test covers three major content domains: Life Science (40%), Physical Science (40%), and Earth and Space Science (20%). The content topics focus on science that reﬂects both what is taught in many high-school-level science courses and that which is most relevant and useful. Lastly, the social studies practices are skills that are key to social studies reasoning in both textual and quantitative contexts. The practices come from important skills speciﬁed in the college and career readiness standards and in the US National Standards for History. The Social Studies Test covers four major content domains: U.S. Civics and government (50%), U.S. history (20%), Economics (15%), and Geography and the world (15%). The social studies content topics from these four areas provide context for measuring a student’s ability to apply the reasoning skills described in the social studies practices. The content topics focus on key concepts that reﬂect both that which is taught in many high-school-level social sciences courses and that which is most relevant and useful for an adult population. In order to pass the exam and receive your GED® test credential, you must receive a score of at least 145 (with a maximum of 200) on each part and a total score of 580 across the four-part battery.

When should I take the GED® test?The full GED® test takes approximately seven and a half hours in total. Each content area test can be scheduled and taken separately – there is no need to take all four tests in one testing appointment. Moreover, GED Testing Service® does not enforce a minimum time frame within which all four GED® test parts must be completed.

How can I register for the GED® test? International students who wish to take the GED® test should visit GED to create an account and find a nearby test center. The GED® test is oﬀered in US English and delivered on computer at an Oﬃcial GED® Testing Center. Please note that you must appear in person, at an Oﬃcial GED® Testing Center to take the GED® test; the test cannot be taken online.

Where can I learn more? More information about the GED can found on the website.

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network providing accurate and unbiased information about higher education in the United States.